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Open Access 01-12-2024 | COVID-19 | Research

Changes in adolescents’ daily-life solitary experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: an experience sampling study

Authors: Eva Bamps, Robin Achterhof, Ginette Lafit, Ana Teixeira, Zeynep Akcaoglu, Noëmi Hagemann, Karlijn S. F. M. Hermans, Anu P. Hiekkaranta, Julie J. Janssens, Aleksandra Lecei, Inez Myin-Germeys, Olivia J. Kirtley

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Adolescent solitude was drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As solitude is crucial for adolescent development through its association with both positive and negative developmental outcomes, it is critical to understand how adolescents’ daily-life solitary experiences changed as a result of the pandemic.

Methods

Using three waves of Experience Sampling Method data from a longitudinal study, we compared adolescents’ daily-life solitary experiences in the early (n_T1=100; M_Age=16.1; SD_Age=1.9; 93% girls) and mid-pandemic (n_T2=204; M_Age=16.5; SD_Age=2.0; 79% girls) to their pre-pandemic experiences.

Results

We found that adolescents with lower levels of pre-pandemic social support and social skills reported wanting to be alone less and feeling like an outsider more at both time points during the pandemic. In the mid-pandemic wave, adolescents with higher levels of pre-pandemic social support and social skills reported decreases in positive affect compared to the pre-pandemic wave.

Conclusion

This study shows that adolescents’ daily-life solitary experiences worsened throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. There should be continued concern for the wellbeing of all adolescents, not only those already at risk, as effects of the pandemic on mental health might only manifest later.

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Title: Changes in adolescents’ daily-life solitary experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: an experience sampling study
Authors: Eva Bamps
Robin Achterhof
Ginette Lafit
Ana Teixeira
Zeynep Akcaoglu
Noëmi Hagemann
Karlijn S. F. M. Hermans
Anu P. Hiekkaranta
Julie J. Janssens
Aleksandra Lecei
Inez Myin-Germeys
Olivia J. Kirtley
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: COVID-19
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18458-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Changes in adolescents’ daily-life solitary experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: an experience sampling study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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